The large sweeping and well protected Ao Vong Duan is one of the most popular beaches to stay at on Koh Samet.

Home to some fine mid-range accommodation, the beach is a hotspot of boat traffic, with a near continual stream of ferries, speedboats, jetskis and banana boats plying their trade. So an isolated and quiet beach to relax on this is not. The upscale party atmosphere isn't as frantic as it once was, and this is no longer the party-til-you-puke centre of the island.

If you do choose to stay on Ao Vong Duan you may find yourself spending much of your days on other beaches to dodge the noise and hustle and bustle, while returning to Ao Vong Duan for its fine selection of eateries and drinking holes in the evening. Vong Duan is also the traveller's services centre for the adjacent beaches, offering internet and money exchange services.

Ferry boats arrive several times daily. There is a 10B per person fee for the tender service to/from the shore.